Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, an outdoor summer theatre in downtown Annapolis, continues its 2013 season with the clean version of “[title of show]”, a musical comedy that chronicles its own creation from inception to opening night. “[title of show]” is, above all, a love letter to the musical theatre – a uniquely American art form – and to the joy of collaboration. The production opens June 27 and runs Thursdays-Sundays at 8:30pm through July 20. Tickets are $20 each.

“[title of show]” follows the improbably story of Jeff and Hunter, two aspiring but struggling writers, who decide to write a completely original show for a new musical theatre festival. With the deadline for submissions a mere three weeks away, the pair chooses to write about what to write about. [title of show] – taken from the space on the festival’s application form which asks for the title of show – follows Hunter, Jeff and their friends Heidi and Susan on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression as they throw together a musical in less than a month. The show celebrates the idea that a fresh new musical – however insignificant – is something worth cheering, and that a life in the theatre can be a worthy calling.

The original production was nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Book of a Musical in 2009. The New York Times described it as “distinctive” and “adorable”, ’’an acutely (and cutely) self-conscious 21st-century update of putting-on-a-show shows like…Cole Porter’s ’Kiss Me, Kate’.” The score includes “I Am Playing Me”, “Filling Out The Form”, “A Way Back To Then”, “Part Of It All”, and “Two Nobodies In New York”.

Rachael Murray, a professional actor, director, writer and teaching artist who graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in English and Theatre Arts, makes her ASGT directing debut on this production. She’s joined by Music Director Laura Brady and Production Stage Manager Chelsea Adams-Cook.

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